Water-craft



May 29, 1962 Filed March 8, 1961 S. J. MAGRI WATER-CRAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. SALVATORE J. MAGRI E Am AGENT May 29, 1962 s. J. MAGRl WATER-CRAFT Filed March a, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

SALVATORE J. MAGRI AGENT.

S. J. MAGRI WATER-CRAFT May 29, 1962 INVENTOR. SALVATORE J. MAGRI 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 8, 1961 AGENT.

United States Patent Office 3,936,544 Patented May 29, 1962 3,036,544 WATER-CRAFT Salvatore J. Magri, 4 (Iarlson Court, East Norwalk, Conn. Filed Mar. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 94,237 Claims. (Cl. 115-70) This invention relates to athletic equipment, and concerns more particularly an improved water skiing apparatus which is self-propelled and which may be employed without requiring the use of tractive means, such as a boat.

conventionally, the sport of water skiing requires a motor boat for pulling the skier over the water. The necessity for a motor boat and operator therefor, somewhat limits the opportunity for water skiing. Moreover, for novice skiers, considerable difiiculty is encountered in gaining an upright position when starting from a standstill in the water. There is also the added burden to the novice skier of undue strain in holding the tow rope in that the entire motion imparted to the skis is through the skiers arms and body.

A main object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved water skiing apparatus which is self propelled, which is simple in construction, and which provides a novel and improved type of performance as compared with that obtained by the use of water skis employed in the conventional manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved Water skiing apparatus enabling a person to water ski without requiring the aid of a tractive means such as a speed boat, the improved apparatus being relatively inexpensive to manufacture, be rugged in construction, be accurately controllable, having increased safety as compared with conventional skis, and having novel and exciting characteristics which are not obtainable by the use of conventional water skis.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the improved water-craft constructed in accordance with the present invention, the craft being shown in operating position;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the water-craft;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, substantially along lines 3-3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating the addition of an article carrying board;

FIGURE 6 is a detail illustration of the means for extending the starting rope associated with the marine propulsion unit, and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the frame used for supporting the marine propulsion unit.

Referring now to figures and FIGURES 1 through 4 in particular, numeral 11 identifies a substantially water tight compartment which is adapted to float in water and which is formed by joining together an upper rimmed shell 12 and a lower rimmed shell 13. The shells in a preferred manner are deep-drawn aluminum sheets or.

fiber glass moldings. Shell 12 has a peripheral rim 14 which terminates in a circumferential lip 15 and conversely, lower shell 13 has a rim 16 which terminates in a lip 17. The shells are joined to one another along the mating lips in a water tight manner by using rivets and sealing techniques Well known in the art. The lip portions in turn are covered by a flexible moulding 18 which serves to protect the joint and simultaneously acts as a bumper for the entire craft.

Extending rearwardly from the compartment there is provided a pair of ski-type extensions 21 and 22 which are constructed to support a person astride thereupon.

Each ski-type extension is fitted with a foot pad 23 and a heel rest 24. Additionally, each extension includes a skeg 31 for stabilizing purposes.

As best seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the ski-type extensions are projections from the respective shells 12 and 13 formed by continuing rims 14- and. 16 toward the rear and providing also the respective peripheral lips 15 and 16. In this manner, the ski-type extensions are rigidly joined to the forward compartment and the entire structure of compartment and ski-type extensions constitutes a unitary and substantially rigid body.

Extending from the lower shell 13 there is disposed a stabilizing keel 35 which is provided with a window type aperture 36. In its preferred embodiment this keel comprises an aluminum casting or other body of suitable weight, strength and dimension. Inside the compartment there is housed a frame 41, shown more clearly in FIGURE 7, which with its underside rests against the inside of shell 13 and which is secured to the keel 35 by means of screw bolts 38. It will be observed that in this manner the shell is clamped between the frame 41 and keel 35 so that the frame, compartment and keel form a firm structure. The rear portion of the keel is secured to shell 13 by bolts 38A.

Within the compartment and removably bolted to the frame ll by means of clamping means 42 there is provided a marine propulsion unit 4-3 of conventional design. In its preferred embodiment this marine propulsion unit comprises a 7%. HP. outboard engine, having its lower unit 44 reaching into the window type aperture 36 of the keel. Propeller 4 5 is driven by a conventional drive shaft running vertically through the unit to the engine. The propeller by being located in the window type aperture 36 is protected from collision with floating or fixed objects. Additionally, at the height of the propeller there is provided on either side of the keel a horizontal propeller guard 46. A rubber moulding 47 seals the compartment ll with respect to the protruding portion of the propulsion unit.

In order to provide access to the propulsion unit, shell 12 includes a tightly fitting and conforming access door 50, hinged at hinge 51. This door is of s'uflicient size to enable insertion and removal of the outboard engine. A U-shaped handle 54 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the compartment and serves as a manual support for a person astride on the ski-type extensions. The handle is mounted for pivotal motion about a set of studs 55 secured to the engine housing. In order to adjust length of the handle available to the rider, the sides of the handle are equipped with a plurality of apertures 56, each of which is adapted to fit over the respective studs 55. The handle is urged into upward motion by a tension spring 57 so as to aid the water skier in erecting himself.

A set of suitable slots 58 in the upper shell 12 permit handle 54 to extend from the compartment and rotate about studs 55. Disposed on the handle there is a set of controls 60 and 61, one control being the choke and the other control being the throttle for the propulsion unit 43. These controls connected by flexible shafts to the engine are adjusted in such a Way that when no pressure is exerted thereupon the engine will stop running, thereby stopping powered motion of the craft.

The starter rope which usually is disposed quite close to the main body of engine housing is extended out of the compartment as best seen in FIGURE 6. Rope 70, Wound on drum '71, is extended through a bent tubing 72 and terminates in a knob 73 which is located just outside the compartment. In the present application, the starter associated with the propulsion unit is of the self rewind type. Numeral 74 points to the engine carburetor control located external of the compartment and numeral 75 identifies a meter indicating either engine r.p.m. or miles per hour or other values as may be desired. A loop 76 fastened to the body of the craft serves to secure the water-craft to a mooring or dock.

The detail construction of frame 42 supporting the marine propulsion unit 43 is shown more clearly in FIG- URE 7. In its preferred embodiment the frame is a metal casting of inverted T shape with an end flange. The casting has sides 41A and 41B which are separated by a vertical stiffening rib 41C. End flange 41D joins the sides and the center flange and serves as the support surface for clamps 42 of the propulsion unit. Screw bolts 38 extend through center rib 41C into keel 35.

When the instant craft is used for fishing or diving purposes, it is desired to carry along additional equipment not usually associated or necessary for water skiing. In order to accommodate the additional equipment, there is provided a removable article carrying board 9%} which can be inserted from the rear of the craft and locked to the compartment 11 by means of suitable locking means 91. This board, which may be considered a center board, is made of two interlocked spaced boards 92 and 93, see FIGURE 5. A grooved edge of the board slidingly engages moulding 18 disposed at the inside of the skitype extensions. In this manner the board when inserted into the space between extensions 21 and 22 firmly mates with the extensions and is locked also to the compartment. Fastening means, such as flexible straps may be provided on the board to secure thereupon the additional equipment carried.

The use of the craft described heretofore for water skiing purposes may be visualized as follows: A person standing astride on the ski-type extensions assumes initially a stooped position while the ski-type extensions are submerged in the water and While little or no propelling power is applied. The craft therefore is rotated, being in an inclined position with its bow pointing upward.

As the craft is accelerated and obtains speed, a lifting force manifests itself at the ski-type extensions and the craft assumes the substantially horizontal position depicted in FIGURES 1 and 3, the rider therefore experiencing the same action as if he were standing on conventional water skis. The entire craft rotates about a common axis, located approximately at the height of the engine housing, thus providing stability and safety to the rider. The handle by virtue of its upward bias aids the skier in erecting himself and in the event that the skier should lose his balance and fall off the craft, the handle is pulled to its utmost forward position. Since at this moment the controls are no longer engaged, the propulsion unit is shut down. Steering of the craft is accomplished by selectively shifting weight between the ski-type extensions.

Due to the water tight design and shape of the forward compartment, the craft is stable and will not sink as the result of careless, faulty, or inept operation or handling by a novice Water skier. Moreover, the propulsion unit is protected and safe from harm.

While there have been described a typical embodiment of the present invention and certain modifications thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made therein Without deviating from the intent and spirit of the present invention which should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A water-cnaft comprising: a compartment adapted to float in water; a stabilizing keel extending downwardly from the underside of the compartment and said keel being provided with a window type aperture; a frame extending longitudinally along the keel line disposed inside the compartment and fastened to the keel thereby clamping a portion of said compartment therebetween; a marine propulsion unit fastened to the frame; said propulsion unit having a drive shaft and propeller extending downwardly from the compartment and into the aperture of said keel; a set of laterally spaced ski-type extensions rigidly secured to the compartment and extending therefrom to cause said compartment and extensions to rotate about a common axis when a person i supported on said extensions and the floating craft is accelerated by said propulsion unit.

2. A water-craft comprising: an upper and a lower rimmed shell; said shells joined to one another along their rims to form -a substantially water tight forwardly disposed hollow compartment adapted to float in water; a keel extending downwardly from the underside of a portion of the lower shell along the longitudinal axis of the craft and said keel being provided with a window type aperture; a frame extending longitudinally along the keel line disposed inside the compartment and fastened to the keel thereby clamping a portion of said lower shell therebetween; a marine propulsion unit fastened to the frame; said propulsion unit having a drive shaft and propeller extending downwardly from the compartment and into the aperture of said keel; a set of laterally spaced skitype extensions adapted to support a person astride thereupon; said extensions rigidly secured to the compartment and extending in a rearward direction therefrom to cause said compartment and extensions to form a unitary body which when floating and propelled by said propulsion unit is steered solely by selective division of Weight between said extensions.

3. A water-craft comprising: an upper and a lower rimmed shell; said shells joined to one another along their rims to form a substantially water tight forwardly disposed hollow compartment adapted to float in water; a keel extending along the longitudinal axis of the craft downwardly from the underside of the compartment and said keel being provided with a window type aperture; a frame extending longitudinally along the keel line dis posed inside the compartment and in contact with said lower shell; said frame fastened to the keel thereby clamping a portion of said lower shell therebetween; a marine propulsion unit removably fastened to the frame; said propulsion unit having a drive shaft and propeller extending downwardly from the compartment and into the aperture of said keel; a pair of laterally spaced skitype extensions extending in a rearward direction from the compartment and keel; each of said extensions formed by respective projections from said upper and lower shells and said respective projections secured to one another to cause said compartment and ski-type extensions to form a unitary structure; said extensions adapted to support a person astride thereupon, and said craft when floating and propelled by said propulsion unit being steered solely by selective division of weight between said pair of extensions.

4. A water-craft as set forth in claim 3 wherein said frame is of inverted T-shape.

5. A water-craft as set forth in claim 3 wherein said frame comprises a casting of inverted T-shape having a transverse end flange to which the propulsion unit is attached. 7

References (Jited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,045,645 Hansen June 30, 1936 2,891,259 Perry June 23, 1959 2,969,037 Vogt Jan. 24, 1961 

